Just a couple of weeks after LeafsBeat pointed out how much better Phil Kessel and James van Riemsdyk are with him as their centre, we had a deep look at the Leafs’ (now very struggling) power play.

It, too, seems to be a drink that is stirred by the Leafs No. 1 centre. (And there really is no arguing — although, go ahead if you like — that Bozak has proved himself to worthy of the mantle this season as No. 1 centre.)

There’s no question that van Riemsdyk and Kessel are elite hockey players. Kessel and van Riemsdyk have played the most extra-man minutes — by far — on the team.

It is Bozak who is elite among Leaf forwards on the power play. And he is one of the best in the league for those with at least 65 minutes (about a minute a game) of power-play time.

The Leafs might also want to consider getting Joffrey Lupul out on the power play more, considering he’s on the ice for a power-play goal every 7.5 minutes of power-play time.

And no wonder they’d love to get Dave Bolland back. He only played 14 games, but was on the ice for a power-play goal 4.5 minutes of extra-man action (over 13:29 of power-play time). Of course, that was early in the season, when the Leafs were hot and the power play could do no wrong.

How the Leaf forwards rank on power play, in terms of teams goals for during their time on ice.

1. Dave Bolland: On the ice for three team power-play goals in 13:29 of power-play time, or a Leaf goal every 4.5 minutes.

2. Trevor Smith: On the ice for two team PP goals in 10:52, or a Leaf goal every 5.4 minutes.

3. Tyler Bozak: On the ice for 16 team PP goals in nearly 112 minutes, or a Leaf goal every 7.0 minutes.

4. Joffrey Lupul: On the ice for 19 team PP goals in 142 minutes, or a Leaf goal every 7.5 minutes.

5. Mason Raymond: On the ice for 16 team PP goals in 128:40, or a goal every 8.0 minutes.

6. Phil Kessel: On the ice for 26 team PP goals in 209.15, or a goal every 8.0 minutes.

7. James van Riemsdyk: On the ice for 24 team PP goals in 205 minutes, or a goal every 8.5 minutes.

8. Nazem Kadri: On the ice for 14 team PP goals in 148:25, or a goal every 10.6 minutes.

9. David Clarkson: On the ice for three team PP goals in 52:28, or a goal every 17.5 minutes.

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Other forwards have played bare minimum power-play time with no teams goals-for, including Nikolai Kulemin (4:30), Jay McClement (2:12), Colton Orr (1:34) while those with a minute and under of power-play time are: Carter Ashton; Josh Leivo; Jerred Smithson; David Broll; and Troy Bodie. Frazer McLaren has yet to get on to the power play.

The big disappointment has to be Clarkson. It’s rare that he starts a power play. And given how long Kessel and van Riemsdyk stay out, it’s understandable that his extra-man time is limited to 30- or 45-second spurts. But a team goal for every 17.5 minutes of power-play time Clarkson is out there is shockingly low. The centre on the second unit — Kadri — is a bit better, at a point every 10.6 minutes of power-play time.

Best in League

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So who are the best forwards in the NHL on the power play?

Among NHLers who’ve gotten at least 65 minute of power-play ice time, Troy Brouwer leads the stats. He has been on the ice for 43 Capitals power-play goals and played more than 228 minutes of power-play time. That’s a Washington goal every 5.3 power-play minutes Brouwer plays.

Of Note: Bozak comes in at 39th. Crosby was on the ice for 47 power-play goals for the Penguins, the most of any player.

And who are the worst? The Islanders have yet to score a goal in Cal Clutterbuck’s power-play time of 81 minutes. Others on the very low end: Detroit’s Daniel Cleary (78 minutes); and Vancouver’s Mike Santorelli (68 minutes) helped one team power-play goal each.

What Forwards are Supposed to Do

Van Riemsdyk: “Every power play, it’s generally the same ingredients. It’s shooting the puck a lot. Getting guys in front to get second chances. After you start doing that, usually it will open up lanes to make the plays you want to make. You have to start with that foundation. From there, other stuff opens up.”

Kadri: “Gaining the zone with speed, getting lots of shot opportunities. Usually hitting those seam passes cleanly. Things aren’t working too well usually when you’re trying to make those passes. They hit a stick, or a skate blade, it gets iced, there’s a face-off. Little things like that. Maybe keep that cycle game going. Use behind-the-net to our advantage as much as possible. When you do that, teams seems to scramble. When you do that, the points will open. They get a little confused where guys are and guys can find openings.”

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The Role of the Defence

Of course, it’s more than just forwards on the power play. The defencemen — especially lately — have a huge role with the Leafs.

The best on a points-per-minute of PP time, at least among the regulars? Cody Franson. But to show you how fast things change, Morgan Rielly was the best a week ago.

Part of the reason for Franson’s success is that half slapshot of his, that gets the puck through to the net quickly.

“That’s one area I try to focus on a lot,” said Franson. “If you can get the pucks through with a screen, or with people going to the net, it gives you chances on rebounds. If you’re lucky enough, you score the odd one, too.”

How the Leafs defencemen rate:

1. Paul Ranger: On the ice for three team power-play goals in 14.02 minutes of power-play time, or a Leaf goal every 4.7 minutes.

Franson: “Patience is probably the biggest thing. When you have the puck up top, not a lot of room to manoeuvre around. A lot of teams try to force the blue-lines and force the D-men into making tough plays. If you have a panic button you have to be able to be calm up there. You have to try to make those plays to give our forwards chances to create something down low. The other thing, being able to get the puck through when needed and being on the same page as everybody else.”

Gardiner: “Every power play is different. Just make passes, move the puck quickly, get shots to the net when the opportunity shows itself. I watch Nazem (Kadri) and Mason (Raymond) do their thing. They’re very skilled guys. Give them the puck. That’s where the play happens. Naz especially tends to create open ice for other guys. That (means) getting the puck back to me, or getting a shot.”

Power Play Doldrums

There’s no question the Leafs’ power play feels anything but powerful lately. It has surrendered as many goals as it has scored since the Olympic break. If the two units are to break out of their collective rut, it will likely be one of the centres — Bozak or Kadri — that lead the way.

Indeed, Bozak scored on the power play Monday night, the Leafs’ first power play goal in nine games.

“There’s going to be ups and downs throughout the year,” said Bozak. “You want to keep improving as the year goes on and get better and be at your best when it matters most at the end of the season.”

“It’s just a few turnovers here and there. We’re doing the same things we have been doing all year. We’ve just got to be a little bit smarter with the puck. We haven’t been getting the bounces we were getting earlier in the year. But I don’t think it’s anything to worry about.”

Said Kadri: “Maybe keep that cycle game going. Use behind the net to our advantage as much as possible. When you do that, teams seems to scramble. When you do that, the points will open. They get a little confused where guys are and guys can find openings.”

Bozak’s Breakout Year

As for Bozak’s breakout season — four seasons in the making — he said he’s been extremely happy when he’s been healthy. “You never want to be hurt. There were parts of the season where I wasn’t playing, (with) the injuries. That was disappointing. When I’ve been in the lineup and playing and on the ice, (I have) had some success. Team’s been doing well, that’s the most important thing.”

Then the inevitable question arose, the one about his legion of critics who don’t consider him a No. 1 centre, and whether he plays with a chip on his shoulder. He chuckled and rolled his eyes.

“Not at all. I’m just trying to do what I can to help this team. It’s been four or five years people have been saying that stuff. I’ve kind of blocked it out by now. Kind of surprised people still talk about it. Must get annoying to them.”

Funny thing, it does annoy them.

“He’s kind of a quiet guy, he slips in the shadows,” said Leafs coach Randy Carlyle. “There’s always been question marks: Is he this or is he that? Is he good enough?

“We believe in him quite a bit. You can tell by the commitment the organization made to him. We believe he’s a pretty good hockey player who works well with our group. He’s missed a pile of games with an injury. With Bozak, it’s one area he’s focused on lately is his faceoffs. He’s been real strong. He’s back to the Bozak that we know.”

Around the League

The league is considering going to a 3-on-3 overtime after the 4-on-4 OT to lessen the effect of the shootout.

“I would rather play overtime than a shootout,” said Leafs coach Randy Carlyle, despite the fact the shootout has been kind of the Leafs so far this season.

The thinking is gaining momentum.

“As a player, sometimes it seems like it’s kind of depressing when you fight for five minutes (in) the overtime and you end up missing out on a point because of the shootout,” said Ducks defenceman Cam Fowler. “But it’s same for every team and it’s exciting for the fans to watch. As players we are open to some change if that’s what they feel they want.”

Also, the league is thinking of giving coaches the right to challenge calls. What do coaches think?

“It has merit in some situations,” said Carlyle. “Every goal is going to be verified. How much more time is this taking? Some people are (saying) it is taking too much time, that it’s too long, but it is more important to get it right.

“Whatever way they can apply those types of calls to those types of situations and not lose the pace and the speed of the game and I think it is a valid point to be considered.”

Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau agreed. “The biggest thing for me is get the right call, whatever it is, whatever you have to do.”

“Growing up, my parents always told me, you can never score from the penalty box. You can never help the team win from the box,” O’Reilly told the Denver Post.

Pittsburgh defenceman Rob Scuderi is the only other player to have zero penalties in more than 20 games.

O’Reilly’s rare combination of scoring and clean grit makes him the top contender to win the NHL’s Lady Byng Memorial Trophy as the best player who displays the most gentlemanly conduct. Joe Sakic is the only Avalanche player to win the award, which he did in 2001, when Sakic captained Colorado to its second Stanley Cup.

Soaring Seguin

On the night the Dallas Stars retired Mike Modano’s No. 9, the home team came from behind in the third period to earn a 4-3 victory and improve to 5-1-1 in their last seven home games. Tyler Seguin, fresh off a five-point performance on Thursday, scored 1-2-3, marking his seventh game this season scoring three or more points. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Seguin’s total of eight points over the last two games matches the high for any NHL player over a two-game span this season, previously done by the Penguins’ James Neal (Dec. 27-29) and the Islanders’ John Tavares (Jan. 6-7). It is also the highest point total by a Stars player over a two-game span since Feb. 1-3, 1993, when Mike Modano registered eight points for the Minnesota North Stars in a pair of games at Vancouver and San Jose. Seguin has tied a career-high with his 29th goal of the season, and his 37 assists are one shy of his previous best. He sits fifth in League scoring with 66 points.

DOT DOT DOT

Ryan Miller is 4-0-0 since joining the Blues. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, three other goaltenders won their first four (or more) decisions with St. Louis: Curtis Sanford (5), Reinhard Divis (5) and Brian Elliott (4). .... Ken Hitchcock earned his 649th win behind the bench on Sunday, moving into seventh place on the all-time list, one spot ahead of Ron Wilson. ... Carlo Colaiacovo of the Blues scored Monday, his first goal since Feb. 11, 2012. ... Jarome Iginla of the Bruins reached the 20-goal plateau for the 15th time in his career. ... New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist recorded his 49th career shutout on Sunday, equaling the club record set by Eddie Giacomin. He earned his 300th career win, one away from Mike Richter’s record 301 victories in a Rangers’ uniform. ... Artem Anisimov’s 19th goal of the season was the lone goal of the game in Columbus’ 1-0 win over Nashville. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Anisimov has been credited with the game-winner in four of the Blue Jackets’ five games this month. Over the last 12 seasons, only two other players tallied four game-winning goals over a five-game span within one season: Ottawa’s Daniel Alfredsson in January 2007 and Nashville’s Mike Fisher in Jan./Feb. 2012.

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